Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1: Depart North America
We will depart from the USA today. Flight bookings and pre-tour arrangements can be made through Reformation Tours. (IF)

Day 2: Amsterdam, Leiden
When we arrive in Amsterdam, we will meet our local Dutch guide and start our tour with a group lunch. We will travel the short distance to Leiden and visit the American Pilgrim Museum, which tells the stories of the founders of New England. It features furnishings from Pilgrim times, as well as maps and engravings from the 16^th and 17^th century. The Pieterskirk was founded in 1121 and has a small exhibition about the Pilgrims.  John Robinson is buried in this church and we will see his home nearby, marked with a plaque. We will dine in Leiden this evening. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Leiden, Delfshaven, Harwich
This morning we will visit Delfshaven, the departure point for the Speedwell. We will visit the Pilgrim Father’s Church and explore the harbor district. After a delicious lunch, we will travel to the Hook of Holland to board our own ship bound for England. The crossing to Harwich takes 6½ hours. The ship has restaurants on board, as well as shops, and a cinema. When we arrive in England, we will check-in to our hotel. (B/L)

Day 4: Harwich, Boston, Lincoln
Harwich is the port town where Captain Christopher Jones was born. We will view his house and see progress on the full-size replica of the Mayflower. We will then drive to Boston, a port town on the East coast. In 1607, a group of pilgrims had walked 60 miles from Scrooby to Boston to meet a ship to take them to Holland. They were betrayed and instead of a new life, they were arrested and taken to the Guildhall. We will see the cells where they were held, as well as the Pilgrim Fathers memorial at Scotia Creek. St. Botolph’s Church, known as “Boston Stump”, is one of England’s largest parish churches. Rev. John Cotton urged members of his congregation to join the Massachusetts Bay Company, and he helped found the city of Boston in the 1630s. The Puritan Path leading to the church is in his honor. We will dine in our hotel. (B/D)

Day 5: Worksop, Scrooby, Babworth, Gainsborough, Lincoln
This morning, after breakfast, a local expert guide will take us on a tour of local sites that would have been very familiar to the Pilgrim Fathers. We will start at the great monastic church of Worksop to understand the background of Christianity in England, to hear about the Protestant martyrs and local Puritan leaders like Richard Bernard – father in law of Rhode Island’s Roger Williams.  Then we will visit Babworth church where William Brewster and William Bradford came together under Richard Clyfton’s leadership. Further stops then include Brewster’s home village of Scrooby, Bradford’s parish church and house at Austerfield, and Sturton-le-Steeple – birthplace of John Robinson and the Baptist John Smyth, and probably of John Carver who was the first leader on the Mayflower. We finish the day at Gainsborough, from where the Pilgrims set out on their final and successful escape attempt. We will also have time to visit the medieval Old Hall, home of a local puritan, and where John Wesley preached 150 years later. We will dine in our hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Droitwich Spa, Worcester
After breakfast we will travel to Droitwich Spa, the birthplace of Edward Winslow, a Mayflower passenger and leader in the Plymouth Colony. We will visit St Peter’s Church and see the Winslow Memorial.  At the end of the day, we will explore the “Faithful” City of Worcester. The town earned this name because of its unwavering support of the king during the English Civil War.  We will tour Worcester Cathedral, where Hugh Latimer, the famous martyr, was bishop. We will see the tomb of King John, who signed the Magna Carta, then dine in our spa and golf hotel in the countryside near Worcester.  (B/D)

Day 7: Plymouth
We will have breakfast in our hotel, then drive to Plymouth. In the afternoon we will tour the city with a specialist guide who will tell the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the ship, and the voyage. We will see the Mayflower steps, the cobbled streets of the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, and admission to the Mayflower Museum. The tour will finish with a guided tour of the local Plymouth Gin Distillery with samples for those who wish. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 8: Plymouth, Dartmouth, Southampton
After breakfast we will travel to nearby Dartmouth, which is where the Mayflower and the Speedwell had to dock for repairs. We will enjoy a River Cruise, and see Bayard’s Cove Harbor. The Pilgrims would still recognize the Tudor Bayard’s Cover Fort, St. Saviour’s Church, Smith Street and other areas around the waterfront. We will have some free time to explore on our own, before we continue on to Southampton, where we will be based for two nights. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)

Day 9: Southampton
Today, our local expert guide will take us on a guided walk describing Southampton as it would have been in 1620. We will hear about the provisioning of the Speedwell and Mayflower ships, and see their departure point. This is now commemorated with a Pilgrim Fathers Memorial, which was unveiled in 1913.  We will tour the Tudor House and Garden, which existed at the time of the Pilgrims’ departure. The Dolphin Hotel has a long illustrious history and one of the earliest references is from 1454. Famous guests included Queen Victoria, Admiral Lord Nelson, and Jane Austen. (B/L/D)

Day 10: London
After breakfast, we will drive to London and have lunch in the Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe. This used to be called the Shippe Inn, and was well known to the crew of the Mayflower. Captain Christopher Jones lived nearby, and we will see his grave in St. Mary’s Church. After we check-in to our hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure. (B/L)

Day 11: London
The morning is at leisure. In the afternoon we will explore the South Bank area of London, including Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, and the Globe Theater. Our farewell meal will be in a local restaurant, then we will take a ride on the London Eye. (B/D)

Day 12: Departure day
After breakfast, we will travel to Heathrow, either as a group, or by separate transfers. Post-tour travel options are available. (B/IF)

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

What are accommodations like?

Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!

Sample Hotels:

The Golden Tulip
Schipholweg 3
2316 XB Leiden

Crowne Plaza 5 Lakes
Colchester Road
Tolleshunt Knight
Maldon CM9 8HX

White Hart Inn
Bailgate
Lincoln LN1 3AR

The Bank House Hotel
Bransford
Worcester, WR6 5JD

Crowne Plaza Plymouth
Armada Way
Plymouth, PL1 2HJ

Mercure Southampton Dolphin
34 – 35 High Street
Southampton, SO14 2HN

The Melia White House
Albany Street
Regent´s Park
London, NW1 3UP

What’s included in the tour price?

Your Tour Includes

•   Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
•   Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
•   Meals as indicated in the itinerary
•   Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
•   Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
•   Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
•   All transfers, as a group
•   Baggage handling when available
•   All taxes and tips except as indicated below

Your Tour Does Not Include

•   Round-trip air transportation
•   Single supplement
•   Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
•   Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
•   Passenger trip cancellation insurance (details sent with reservation form)
•   Gratuities for tour director, and driver